Mama Themba provides hope to vulnerable new Mothers in the Western Cape of South Africa by offering them valuable antenatal and breastfeeding education.

Friday, December 5, 2014

2014 in review

Year 9 in the existence of Bosom Buddies has brought some changes and challenges, laughter and tears, new relationships and strengthening of old bonds.

Some of the highlights:
Bosom Buddies becomes Mama Themba! Probably the highlight of the year for us, and a proud moment. The name change has been a while in coming. Our new name signifies our unity with our parent organisation, Thembalitsha Foundation, as well as our increased focus on the MOTHER. We love mothers. Our existence and all our efforts are geared towards the empowerment and education of mothers.
As fellow mothers, we know and understand too well that the intense way in which a mother loves is immeasurable; that our love is without boundaries and can't be counted and compared. That even when we mess up and our children get hurt, the pain is unbearable. This is why we teach mothers how to care for their babies, what we know is best for their babies, while they get confusing and wrong messages from the world around them at a very vulnerable time.

Our beautiful breastfeeding peer counsellors:
Our regular readers and supporters will know about Zoleka's tragedy in which she lost her husband and all three her children in an accident last year December. Hence our year started on a very sad note.
As an update, Zoleka has been back at work since March and is doing well. She is extremely popular and in great demand at all our clinics. Currently she spends full time at Helderberg Hospital in the maternity ward, helping mothers with breastfeeding in the critical first few hours after birth.
We are very proud of her.

Liezl has done very well this year and now covers the following clinics: Sir Lowrys Pass, Eersterivier, Macassar, Fagan street in Strand and Gordon's Bay.

Mama Themba ends 2014 on a high note with 104 shoeboxes donated from Operation Shoebox. Our volunteers LOVE delivering the shoeboxes around Christmas each year. Thanks again Shoeboxers!

We look forward to expanding in 2015, covering a larger area and employing more staff. Many thanks to our supporters. With much love, warm blessings and season's greetings.

Frances
Zoleka delivering a shoebox to precious new mom.

#doulafran in action.